How To Help

 

AmeriCorps*VISTA Volunteer

Access Opportunities in the U.P.

Help open doors to health care opportunities for residents of Michigan's Upper Peninsula as an AmeriCorps*VISTA volunteer with the Upper Peninsula Health Access Coalition or Local Access Coalitions.

  • One-year full-time volunteer service

  • Office assignments around the Upper Peninsula

  • Training, monthly living stipend, some health benefits, end-of-service cash bonus or sizeable education grant

  • Ideal experience for new college graduates or retired professionals

  • VISTAs cannot work either full- or part-time during their year of service but may attend classes with their supervisor’s approval as long as doing so does not interfere with their VISTA schedule.

AmeriCorps*VISTA service with the UPHAC project offers a variety of opportunities in small office settings. Great opportunity for recent college graduates to gain practical experience and exposure to the workings of the health care system. Newly retired professionals also encouraged to apply their work experience/skills in support of access to health care for needy uninsured residents.

One-year, full-time commitment is offered as part of the rich state and national volunteer tradition of AmeriCorps*VISTA. (See current VISTAs.) Volunteer positions include monthly living stipend, some health benefits, choice of cash bonus or sizeable education grant after one year of completed service. Positions open periodically; contact UPHAC about current openings in your area.

VISTAs are a capacity-building resource and assist UPHAC and Access Coalitions to:

  • develop office systems and procedures,

  • recruit and train enrollment volunteers,

  • capitalize on the power of web and database systems to disseminate program information and evaluate medical care data,

  • develop patient education materials and services,

  • seek community resources in support of access to health care programs,

  • work with health care providers, agencies and facilities on behalf of patients,

  • incorporate “best practices” from access programs nationally to local offices,

  • network with community organizations to better serve uninsured residents,

  • coordinate communications, conferences, meetings and other opportunities for collaboration within communities,

  • recognize the support of community partners, collaborators, funders and providers to the programs of the Access Coalitions.

  • And in many, many other support roles

Requirements: desire to make a difference in the lives of uninsured residents of the Upper Peninsula, curiosity and creative problem-solving, some college experience preferred. 

To read about one former Access Coalition VISTA's service experience, click here.

Visit the AmeriCorps*VISTA web site for more information on VISTA volunteer service; contact UPHAC about current openings in your area.